Eastern Europe raises minimum wages to combat income gaps and living costs
Several Eastern European countries are set to raise their minimum wages in the coming year. Latvia has already seen a drop in low-wage workers, while Lithuania and Belarus have announced significant increases. These changes aim to address living costs and income gaps.
In Latvia, the share of employees earning the minimum wage or less fell to 15.3% in 2022, down from 19.4% in 2019. Welfare Minister Reinis Užulnieks highlighted the government’s push to lift wages as part of broader efforts to improve living standards and reduce inequality.
The wage hikes in Latvia, Lithuania, and Belarus signal a regional trend toward higher earnings for low-paid workers. These measures are expected to provide financial relief and narrow income disparities. Officials have framed the changes as necessary steps to support economic stability.
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